Following yesterday’s budget we’ve heard from Duncan Ferguson, vice president for commercial & industrial printing, Epson Europe B.V., and managing director for Epson UK about how some of the changes will affect the industry.
“Strengthening the UK’s industrial competitiveness requires more than short-term stimulus; it calls for long-term incentives that reward businesses investing in cleaner, smarter and more efficient technologies and supply chains. We would have appreciated the introduction of a tax relief or enhanced capital allowances for companies that adopt low-carbon manufacturing and energy-efficient systems in today’s budget. By doing so, the Chancellor could have accelerated the transition to a net-zero economy, strengthen UK industrial competitiveness and boost investment confidence.
“This approach would be particularly impactful for the UK’s textiles sector, where reshoring and nearshoring are vital to building resilience and reducing environmental impact. Supporting manufacturers who invest in digital and sustainable production methods would enable a new generation of local, agile businesses to thrive, cutting waste, reducing transport emissions and revitalising regional economies.
“Epson’s Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric printer range is a prime example of the technologies driving this shift. By combining pigment-ink chemistry with energy-efficient, water-saving design (compared with analogue equivalents), it allows textile producers to print directly onto fabric in a single process, eliminating many of the resource-intensive stages associated with traditional dye-based printing. The result is a production model that supports on-demand, just-in-time manufacturing, enabling UK firms to minimise wasted stock and take control of their supply chains while simultaneously meeting their sustainability goals.
“Beyond textiles, advances in robotics and automation are reshaping the circular economy. Robots are no longer confined to repetitive factory tasks; they are being reprogrammed to sort materials, assist in repair and refurbishment, and even disassemble products for reuse. By encouraging investment in these adaptable automation systems, fiscal policy can drive efficiency and sustainability hand-in-hand – while creating skilled jobs and new industrial capabilities.”
For more information on Epson visit: https://www.epson.co.uk/en_GB
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